Maryland Heights, MO Sewer line repairs in the past meant tearing up your landscaping and losing access to water for the duration of the repairs. But no longer. At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we the latest, unobtrusive practices like pipe bursting and pipe lining to fix your plumbing without breaking your landscaping.

Our team is ready for you 24/7, so as soon as you notice a problem, call us at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. Fix it early and prevent further damage to your Maryland Heights, MO home.

On this page, we'll go over:

We created this page to help you with identifying a sewer line break, locating the root issue, and understanding what repairs will look like. Whatever water or sewer issues you're facing, Drain Cleaning St. Louis offers plumbing services to help.


6 Maryland Heights, MOSewer Line Damage Signs to Watch Out For:

Some plumbing issues, like a leaking faucet, are easy to notice. Sewer line damage, however, is not, which makes learning the different signs essential. Any one of the below signs on its own may be from something else, but the more that add up, the more likely it is that your Maryland Heights, MO sewer line needs repairs:

  1. Odor/Smell - A persistent sewage smell, particularly in your backyard, is the most obvious sign of a broken sewer line. Breathing it excessively can have negative health effects.
  2. Gurgling - If air is entering your home's plumbing through a damaged sewer line, gurgling can occur throughout the house.
  3. Slow Drain - When your home's drains don't flow well, even after cleaning them out, it could be that the root cause is a deeper sewer line break.
  4. Green and/or Soggy Yard - If your backyard has strange wet spots that never seem to go away, or odd patterns of greener grass, that can be a sign that your sewer line is leaking into the yard, creating puddles and fertilizing the grass.
  5. Pests - Leaking sewer lines drawn in pests like insects and rodents. They can both live in the damp parts of the yard, and will explore the area, and potentially go up the sewage pipe into your house.
  6. Major Water Bill Fluctuation - Strange fluctuations in your water bill, particularly if it increased suddenly, can be a sign that your sewer line is broken, which silently draws from your water supply, day after day.

Common Sewer Line Damage Causes:

Now that you know the signs of potential sewer pipe damage, let's look at some of the potential causes. Sewer line breaks in Maryland Heights, MO have several causes, but the usual suspects are:

  • Wear and Tear - Over time, particularly if grease or cleaning chemicals have gone down your drains, the pipes will weaken and corrode. Ensuring that they're all regularly and properly cleaned helps extend their lifespan.
  • Blockages/Clogs - If the line becomes clogged, that can increase pressure and erosion, leading to cracks and bursts.
  • Tree Roots - Tree roots will be attracted to the moist, nutrient-rich environment of an existing sewer line break, and can then extend into the pipe, exacerbating the problem.

Unless something went wrong when your sewer line was first built, or it hasn't been maintained properly, it shouldn't require repairs very often. That said, when they are needed, they're often needed urgently. It's important for your plumber to use a method that is fast, effective, and minimizes disruptions to your life.


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How We Repair Maryland Heights, MO Sewer Lines

At Drain Cleaning St. Louis, we handle all kinds of plumbing repairs as well as cleanings. When we first set foot at your house, we'll consult with you to learn more about the situation and then take a deep look into your home's plumbing system to find the cause of the problem. We look at your lines using a top-of-the-line drain camera to see all throughout your pipes, and can confirm if there is a leak in your sewer line.

After we've identified a broken sewer line, our technicians use the best repair method available for the circumstances. If possible, we will avoid excavating your lawn with one of the following trenchless sewer line repair methods:

  • Pipe Bursting - Pipe bursting features a new pipe, which is pulled through your old one, breaking the broken sewer line down and replacing it with a newer line in the process. If pipe bursting is realistic, this minimizes damage to your hard, since holes only need to be dug to feed the new pipe down to the existing one, rather than full trenches to lay it down.
  • Pipe Lining - Pipe lining also takes advantage of the pipes your sewer line already has in place. Pipe lining uses a smaller pipe that is placed inside of the existing sewer line, covering any cracks. The liner pipe is measured to fit perfectly inside the damaged line, will be affixed with epoxy, and avoids the burst pipe without needing a full replacement.
  • Sectional Pipe Point Repair - Sectional pipe point repair is not all that different from pipe lining, as it also involves pulling a section of sealant or liner through the damaged sewer pipe. The main difference is that pipe lining involves extensive relining, covering a large portion of the existing pipe, while point repairs only cover a smaller section with the leak.

Using pipe bursting, pipe lining, and sectional repair methods lets us mend your pipes, more rapidly with fewer disruptions. Sewer line repairs don't have to be a major hassle that throws off your day and wrecks your landscape. Today, it can be done quicker and cheaper than ever before.

While some sewer lines will need more conventional replacement or repair methods, we always check to see if a trenchless option is possible. And in any case, we reconnect and test your pipes again afterwards, to ensure your new pipe is functioning properly now.


Preventing Damage to Your Maryland Heights, MO Sewer Lines

For any sewer line, taking care of it will help extend its lifespan and reduce the need for repairs. There are some simple steps you can take to If you're wondering what you can do to protect your home's sewer line, we've got some tips:

  • Don't Discard Solids Down the Drain - The same goes for oils and greases. Your entire plumbing system can suffer from blocks, increased wear, and corrosion, and they can hit your sewer line especially hard, because all the things you send down the drain eventually goes through it. Put solids in the trash or compost.
  • Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners - Some chemical cleaners can be effective, but damaging to your pipes as they clean. Others just worsen the clog. If you have a blockage, one safe technique is to pour warm salt water down the drain, and if that doesn't unclog it, call a reputable Maryland Heights, MO plumber to take care of the block.
  • Manage Tree Roots - If you're considering planting or moving a tree on your property, check where the sewer lines run prior to picking the tree's new spot. You can also install root barriers around your pipes to protect them from tree roots.
  • Get A Backflow Preventer - Backflow preventers are not necessary for every home, but can be for some older homes, or homes with pools or irrigation systems. This stops water from flowing the wrong way, caring sewage into your home's plumbing system. It's possible your home will already have a natural backflow prevention built into the plumbing system's design, but older systems, those with pools, or those using well water all benefit greatly from backflow preventers.
  • Repair Other Issues Promptly - Clogs in one of your pipes lead to friction, which can increase wear and tear throughout the system. Fixing smaller issues promptly stops them from contributing to larger damage.
  • Regular Maintenance/Inspections - Most houses benefit from having their pipes inspected every one to two years, or more often for older plumbing systems. A quick inspection stops major problems before they happen, saving you money and time in the long run.

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Maryland Heights, MO Sewer Line Repair FAQs

Maryland Heights, MO homeowners in need of sewer line repairs have lots of questions. Below, we've written an overview of answers to some of the most popular questions:

Who is responsible for a broken sewer line?

If your property's sewer line is broken, it's normally your responsibility to repair it. This also applies for parts that go off of your property, until the pipe reaches the sewer main, it's most often the homeowner's responsibility to repair.

Does homeowners' insurance cover sewer line repairs?

This will depend on the specific policy and situation. Typically, home insurance will cover sewer line repairs if they result from a specific event, like extreme weather or a fire. However, wear and tear, tree roots, or poor maintenance are normally not covered.

Is a broken sewer pipe an emergency?

Not every sewer line leak is an emergency, but if it's letting sewage out into your yard, or back into your home's clean water, then it is. This is because of the damage it can do to your health and well-being.

How long can a broken sewer line go undetected?

Sewer line breaks can go undetected for long periods of time - for smaller leaks, it can take months, or even years, to notice. Watching out for the key signs of damage and setting up regular maintenance is critical to finding leaks that were otherwise unnoticable.

What is the cheapest way to repair a sewer line?

If possible, a trenchless repair method (like pipe lining or pipe bursting) is the cheapest way to repair or replace a sewer line. Consult with a professional Maryland Heights, MO plumber to your sewer damage can be fixed through one of these methods.

Are sewer and water pipes the same?

No, they are different — they may look the same, but their function is different; water pipes take clean water into your home, while sewer pipes carry out wastewater. Sewer lines are normally made of sturdier material to handle the contaminants, and rely on gravity (as opposed to water pressure).




Get Your Sewer Line Repaired Today - Call Drain Cleaning St. Louis

If your sewer line is damaged, or you're wanting to set up a preventative inspection, Drain Cleaning St. Louis is proud to be your partner. When you work with us, you're getting:

  • Experienced Plumbing Specialists - We have over a decade of experience plumbing in Maryland Heights, MO, and our team is experts in all things plumbing.
  • Emergency Plumbing Response - For major pipe bursts or sewer line breaks, we act fast to fix your home's plumbing problems.
  • 24/7 Availability - Our team is ready for your call, no matter when it comes in.
  • Wide Range of Services Available - We don't just repair sewer lines - we can help with all of your plumbing needs.

We also offer these services in Maryland Heights, MO:

Protect your health and your home. For Maryland Heights, MO sewer line repairs, call Drain Cleaning St. Louis today at (314) 972-2233 or reach out online. We're ready for your call, no matter when it comes in.